Tight End Fasano Looks For More Chances To Open Up

DAVIE — Anthony Fasano got off to a bad start this season, but he's looking forward to a strong finish.

Not only did the Dolphins' tight end sputter out of the gate in 2009, but he also missed two games last month recovering from a hip injury.

Fasano returned in Sunday's 31-14 loss to the Bills. He caught five passes for 74 yards, re-emerging as the pass-catching threat he was in 2008, when he caught 34 passes for 454 yards and tied a Dolphins record with eight touchdown receptions for a tight end.

Even though his breakout game didn't result in a victory, Fasano said he hopes it's a sign his first-half struggles are behind him.

"There were a couple of plays in there geared to get me open, but the balls were just coming my way on routes I usually run, so it's good to have Chad [Henne] find me," said Fasano, who has 19 receptions for 187 yards and one touchdown in nine games. "I wasn't producing in the stats, contributing catches, but we were having some success running the ball. But it's nice to contribute statistically."

The tight ends have been used in pass protection more this season. Teams' desire to stop the run has also prompted opponents to bring their safeties closer to the line of scrimmage, which crowds the middle of the field.

However, Dolphins coach Tony Sparano said the middle of the field is starting to open up because defenses have figured out "a lot of what we've done in the passing [with Henne] is outside, so they're trying to take those things away."

Sparano said Fasano's increased involvement benefits everyone because it will further open up the field.

Grove not ruled out yet

While starting center Jake Grove hasn't practiced in nearly two weeks because of the left ankle sprain he suffered on Nov. 19 against the Panthers, Sparano hasn't ruled him out for Sunday's game against the Patriots.

Grove did plenty of running in his rehab assignment Thursday, but Sparano needs to know if he can anchor against a pass rusher, especially this week, when they face Pro Bowl nose tackle Vince Wilfork.

Joe Berger will continue to serve as the starter until Grove is cleared to return.

Hartline on the rise

Dolphins offensive coordinator Dan Henning said rookie receiver Brian Hartline will be pushed to the forefront "in the near future."

"We like him. He's making plays, he seems to show up very much like Greg [Camarillo] showed up," Henning said of Hartline, who has 270 yards and two touchdowns on his 17 receptions. "Hartline isn't quite as accountable yet. He hasn't been through all the ropes. Once in a while he'll blow this or blow that, but he's got the ability to make explosive plays, and we do need to get him the ball."...

Ted Ginn Jr. parlayed his two-touchdown game against the Jets into being named the AFC's Special Teams Player of the Month for November. In five games, Ginn had 646 yards on 21 kickoff returns, a 31.7 yard average, and two touchdowns.